The judge-led inquiry, chaired by Sir William Gage, was ordered in 2008 and became the biggest examination of military conduct in the aftermath of the Iraq invasion.

It heard oral evidence from 247 witnesses over 115 days of hearings between July 2009 and October 2010.

According to the Telegraph, the inquiry has found no evidence that British soldiers conducted wholesale abuse, torture and murder of suspected insurgents during the occupation of southern Iraq.

However, it will accuse former members of 1QLR of "closing ranks" and both senior officers and serving soldiers of a dereliction of duty.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "More than 100,000 Service personnel served in Iraq and the vast majority conducted themselves with extraordinary courage, professionalism and decency in very demanding circumstances.

"Nonetheless we acknowledge that the actions that led to the death of Baha Mousa were shameful and inexcusable."